Denmark plans to send its soldiers to Ukraine this summer to receive hands-on training in battlefield drone operations, the country’s military announced.
Danish army chief Peter Boysen said the goal is for troops to gain real-world experience directly from Ukrainian forces, who use drones extensively in combat. “Those who operate with [drones] on a daily basis, not just me, need to get that experience,” Boysen explained. He noted that over 70% of Ukraine’s kills against Russian forces come from attack drones.
This marks a shift from Denmark’s previous missions to Ukraine, which only involved higher-level personnel. The Danish Ministry of Defence confirmed that while officers have visited before, they were mostly in managerial roles, according to local outlet Jyllands-Posten.
The decision has drawn criticism from Russia. The Russian embassy in Denmark said the move goes against current efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. It also warned that Danish troops could become “legitimate targets” and that their lives could be at risk.
Boysen responded by stressing that the training will occur far from the front lines, in Ukraine’s western regions. “If there is a missile attack, the Ukrainians have really good early warning systems and good shelters,” he said.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Denmark has been one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters. The country has donated aid equal to 2.3% of its GDP, according to the Kiel Institute.
